Mechanism for transferring a body from a trailer chassis to a truck chassis and viceversa



H. c. HARBERS 2,478,658 MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER Aug. 9, 1949.

CHASSIS TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1946 Q u w MN MW INVENTOR ATTORNEY Y B S 7. 6% mm mm sq u U P Q mm Q .Q m a S. x \ll: III w I! III I N. k P o. Q S iv l1 -1 mm s e m Wm QWRM MMQMRQ mwww Q m e sm m W QQ V 96 NW N Q% /.l mm Rm HARBERS Aug. 9, 1949.

MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER Filed March 8, 1946 CHASSIS TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y m N m m INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1949. H. c. HARBERS 2,478,558

MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER CHASSIS 'TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 8, 1946 INVENTOR Y E N m T A HARBERS Aug. 9, 1949. H. c.

v MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER CHASSIS TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA Filed March 8, 1946 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1949.. H. c. HARBERS 7 2,478,658

MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER CHASSIS TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA 7 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed March 8, 1946 g 711011111111, I I I H INVENTOR ATTORNEY Fi led March 8; 1946 Aug.- 9, 4 H. c. HARBERS 2,478,658

MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER CHASSIS TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 f .14. I A

;7- INVENTQR Mama BY M22 Jrw ATTORNEY H. c. HARBERS 2,478,658 MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING A BODY FROM A TRAILER Aug. 9, 1949.

CHASSIS TO A TRUCK CHASSIS AND VICE VERSA Filed March 8, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 VIf!!!ll/IrfI/rlllhlllllrfl! INVENTOR ATTORNEY W cm BY f wwufl J1me. v

Patented Aug. 9, 1949 2,478,653 MECHANISM Fon TRANSFERRING t BGDY FROM A"TRAILER CHASSIS roA rayon Onassis AND VICE VEBSA Henry C. Harbers, San Gabriel, Calif., assignor to 1 II ward'F. Cook and Charles Qpplg, a eogartners hip operating ungler the nanre a rgtxle. of Cool; Bros, Los Angeles, Ga-lif. Application March .8, 1946, Serial n esg rsgs .4 .Qlairns. (c1. a r-3s My inv nt e QF fi -115.1 :me e Y? hicles and trailer vehicles therefor, and particularly to motor truolgs and trailer combinations of e ty e eee in U e Stat s Le t s Pa e No, 1,915,883, issued to Eager, June 27, 1933, esi ne o t an err n le ee materials seen as san gravel, ere n ans th like f om he a le to t tru k he ein a lead-ea nin od fie eme ab mounted a a ler eh e ie w eh e of a size t ib t e en eal1 y m ve to n eerid a b a truc body and wher b th u e tai mani ulat ns th $11191 relative to the tra er a me hanism ie ep e e i9 i ie e ra ler od fr m t e trai r has is to the t ue b d to in um rans th ma e a fr he a tra ler to he tru k.- e ewi an-leadi 9 the trailer body it can be returned to the trailer ehassis, b t e sam :meehaniem- The Ea er mechanism is net 9 9. 1 eir e ellv comp ex and hence expens ve but to eeeem lieh a comp e e ien ier 9 th rai b d int th truck body, it re uires e e separate and d etmet true an let en 'WhiQh are h edi and t m co s min i q the m t 9 tr n e i ue as to com e e m e s sp n on o t e load-ca ry n tra e body betw e th ru k ari the trailer, which introglupes the ganger O-f glist t s the current y ex endesi su -f e O ;t l 1e trailer, as well as tilting the trailer, and pos- .ib1e derailin .e the tra le l ne y the sube, Or uerailinso t e eub fram e iheire s irameo -retu. the i e beds to e i aile once it has been lunloagieq, the Eager invention requires ho stin o the t u k beds, and. t erefore, his invention is restriotegi in its use to dump trucks.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a truck-actuated mechanism of the type desgribed which is structurally characterized by its sl nplicity vand low post of manufacture, angi functiona ly by the reduced number of truek manipulations required to aoeomplisha complete transfar of the trailer :loody into the truck body, and

thus -,expe i iting such transfer.

Another -.p rp0. e o m nvent on t e :PI -visionrof a trailer bogiy transferring rnechanisni whi h in e prowess o-f'transie avoids mp et or such partial suspension of the trailer pody :between the truck and the trailer chassis, as .would prevent possible distortion of the subeframe :or itilting of the trailer chassis, thus insursing at all etimes .thesuccessful performance of sthe iransferring {operation ;as well as Iestoring of the trailer body to the :trailer chassis.

:A ifunther \puepoeefof my invention is the p om e-eh v e es of e e ae .rs 12 e ere e to r ie e t e t eil rbes 1 ease W 0 he ee eeli heis e .e be if de i e and therehyperrnlttingth hanifsmto be used with trucks having 1; d i U bl; or not of being dumped.

Broadl etes i vests: eslbe ie .e .m e en em w ie n ud s ll em hi for rolling movement on a trailer qhass isfatrafler body .ne mes 9 pllix e se le e ei e e frar'ne, and meanssoeons truqteq arifi arranged a n ediaeee a e 9 the 'b e e e eh eie by as. J 9" lee the ai er body onto the v tguqlr ,chgssls, or asp retracting movement of the sul; am to restore the trailer bo y e t e a e e eee s i wane r e ee e in. ti elle bedfy i? inlite vaneing .or retragting 311 ee e 'e e t enfli -s e t. eles b he yh i em i t eueh an i eas s a ree ha t e e T-f activating movements of the truclsare reduced in number, glistanpg, Q1951 :q ii'eption," anti thus transfer o he tra le l 4 a .e i h s to the i i ei era iee i 1 ...IF 'w eree; Tie -i e' expevdiw '1 w l eeerihe on Mr fa m o t ans er i 1 s t e no el ee. 1 .i

n the eee s eo 21 Fig. 1 is a view s t a le eeli les to the .cojiiveneae ie e a ria a -m l -QE it. re e ent-e mine e ie e i i eoen eme wrestl s- F ea sm t h s zl eh w e m eee ewe "the t le e ei e' meee ayi 8 9w s m lar t9 la 2, eh wie h s e ed are eiiee i f a s ea. the i e kb d i -t e'ir ek b er.-

.Eiee i e f shei 9 .Eie-

sh w the w e ans es ii ere e erri fi e re bes eil i e e v.-

Fig. 5 is a view similar tr) gilig fl, showing the us -al en f etain n i m lq #1 e e iim e Fig 6 ei ae-s l es e sh in n l a ue tion trailer andthe transe new dia se e i em in e s 1955f i t e Trie- U i' .-6-P1i el ewia the traile Jees y nea releases ante 'zh Mus body.

Fi 58 {is a rea ea arses ere :Y jQ taken on the line 88 of Fig; Q. r

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a modified form of trailer sub-frame and body mounting embodying my invention.

Fig. 11 is a vertical fragmentary Sectional View similar to Fig. 6, showing another form of transferring mechanism embodying my invention, which is adapted for use in conjunction with a truck havin a fixed or non-dumpable body, and wherein the truck is coupled to the sub-frame, and the trailer body is on the sub-frame ready for transfer to the truck.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig.. 11, somewhat schematic, and showing the trailer body transferred to the truck body. A 7 h Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig f12, but showing the sub-frame advanced and operatively connected to the trailer body for transfer of the latter back onto the. trailer.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing the trailer body transferred back to the trailer.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view showing in side elevation and on a reduced scale a fourth form of transferring mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12 as seen on line l6-I6 of Fig. 15. h

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line I l--|1 of Fig. 16.

Having specific reference to Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings, this embodiment of my invention comprises a conventional dump truck, designated generally at A, and my improved form of trailer designated generally at B. Y The truck A has the usual chassis frame supported by front steerable wheels (not shown), and rear driving wheels l6 suspended by leaf springs [6a, and adapted to be driven from the usual power plant in any well known manner.

The trailer B embodies the usual chassis including a frame I! supported on steerable front wheels l8 and rear wheels I9 through leaf springs la and [9a respectively in the conventional manner. The draft and steering connection between the truck and trailer may be in the form of a tongue 20 connected to the front wheels l8, and pivotally connectible with the truck frame it by an eye 2| engaging a hook 22.

The body 23 of the truck which is of box-like form and open at its rear end, is supported on and fixed to a frame 24' pivoted at its rear end on a cross shaft 25 (see Fig. 5). Hoisting mechanism (not shown) of any conventional form may be provided to'tilt the body 23 from the position shown in Fig. l, to the position shown in Fig. 5, and vice versa. This body is provided with the usual tail-gate 26 hingedly mounted as at 21,on brackets 28, and suitable means (not shown) such as that disclosed in Fagers aforesaid patent, may be provided for holding the gate in open position during the trailer body transferring operations. 1

The trailer B includes a body 29 likewise of box-like construction open at its rear end, but normally closed by a tail-gate 29a pivoted as at 29b. This body is of such dimensions as to permit it to be telescoped with the truck body 23. For this purpose it is removably mounted on the trailer frame I! through the medium of a subframe F displaceable or extensible longitudinally on the trailer frame from the retracted position shown in Fig, 2 to the extended positionshowninFig.3-. i

The sub-frame F is of rectangular configuration and may be formed of I-beam side members 30 and transverse end members 3| and 32. Secured to the side members are upper tracks 33 and lower tracks 34 in the form of channel members opening upwardly and downwardly respectively, and extending longitudinally of and parallel to the longitudinal center of the trailer frame IT.

The frame F is supported for longitudinal movement on the frame I! by a plurality of non-friction rollers 35 mounted in brackets 35a secured to the side of the frame l1, and spaced apart along the length of the frame. On these rollers 35 ride the tracks 34, the flanges of the tracks confining the frame to longitudinal rolling movement on the frame I1. Likewise mounted in brackets 36 secured to the underside of the trailer body 29, are non-friction rollers 31 which ride on the upper tracks 33 to support the trailer body for rollin movement longitudinally on the sub-frame F.

While the sub-frame F is freely movable longitudinally on the trailer frame l1, and the trailer body 29 is freely movable longitudinally on the sub-frame, normally both the body and the subframe are held against movements and in the relative positions shown in Fig. 1, by any suitable securing means. Such means, in the present instance, comprises arms 38 pivoted at 39 on brackets 40 secured to opposite sides of the trailer frame H, and which arms are detachably held between the arms of other bracket 4| secured to opposite sides of the trailer body 29, by removable pins 42. An arm 38 is shown in securing position in Fig. 1, and in non-securing position in Fig. 2.

For limiting rearward movement of the trailer body 29 on the sub-frame F and to the retracted position shown in Fig. 2, one or more stops 43 are provided at the rear end of the sub-frame to engage the rear end of the trailer body.

Coupling members 44 in the form of ramps are provided on the rear end of the dump body frame 24 so as to be vertically movable by tiltin the body 23. Complemental coupling members 45 in the form of hooks are fixed on the forward end of the sub-frame F, and positioned to be in longitudinal alinement with the members 44 to engage one with the other when the truck is backed into the trailer to couple the sub-frame to the body frame 24 (see Fig. 7). These coupling members 44 and 45 may be of the same construction as the corresponding coupling members shown in the aforesaid Fager patent.

The trailer body supporting means is so constructed that the height of the surfaces of the tracks 33 on which the rollers 31 ride, are n rmally the same height above the ground as the top surface of the bottom 23a of the truck body, when both are loaded. However, when the truck body is empty and the trailer body loaded, the tracks 33 are thereby lowered beneath the level of the bottom 23a; The coupling members 44 and 45 are so positioned that when the members 45 engage members 44, the top surfaces of the tracks 33 will be elevated into the plane of the body bottom 23a.

For actuating the sub-frame F to cause it to occupy extended and retracted positions relative to the trailer frame l1, under forward and rear movements of the truck, and to thereby transfer the trailer body to the truck body, the following mechanism is provided. I

-To a fixed cross-member 48 at the front end of the frame I! are ears .4! fixedly slinportin h pin .48 to which the opposite ends of-a cable G are dead-ended or secured. fine end .oft iscable is extended upwardly around a front sheave then rearwardly to a rear sheave 50 to form an upper stretch 5|, and then downwardly irom th sheave 5t to the pin 48 tdform a lower st etch 52.- These sheaves is and 5.0. are rotatably mounted on ins 53 in ears 54 fixed to'ans e ars 5.5 re versely disposed and, spaced to'folm a. uid t ffiql which extends centrallyand loneitudinallyof he sub-frame with its ends. .iixed to the end mem-- bers 3| and 32..

To the upper cable stretch 5| is secured by a two-part amp. .5 a. plateeliise'meniber 51 (s Fig. 8) siidable on the traekharsl the clamp bein b e e ars. to confine the plate to mo merit axially alone these-iiidet a sa. connector 53, in the form or a hook. is fix d bathe upper side of the member 5.! so esto fiao iorwardly on the sub-frame F and en age a cro s. pin. 59 fixed in ears Bil dep ndinsirom a cross beam 6 secu e t theunclerside oi the trailer body 2 adjacent its rear end.

A so embodied in the.v transi r mechanism s an unbalanced lever 52- pivotally monnted; adjacent its forward end, as atfi}. .1. a verthally disposed ra 6 ri idly xed to the cr ssm mber 46 so as to extend upwardly at the ioll ilazjd end oi the sub-frame.

As in the forem n ienedl't'aser inv ntion. he trailer body 29 having been moved into. the truck bod is au ma ltallr latch there by n o m e h s eefia 6t ivo ds 6 on the outer side of the trailer bQdyurged by a sp n i: n eheaee w th a. s op, his on t e body. so as. to. ride ver and nto en a ement with a keeper bar; '69,; (Ei i 4),.fixfi nthe truck body adjaceht itsv forward; end.

T p n, o the ruck nd trailer above described, is a tol ws Tlihev two ve icles a coupled in tandem for transportation through n in t e ho k, .2v -.t eeitel s. l thoh dies 23 and 29 are loaded; the, tail, gates 26; and 2911 e closed a d a c e hyahy su teblemeans. not ho and e a se re ll; n what; mayb er t r o mal pos t ons. sh wn Eia. 1-,

Assuming th t. be hdiesttand 2,8 are loaded when the sceneot dlil'hplllgisl ifilihed, the trailer is uncoupled from the trues hr disen a eme t of the eye 2| from the hoplg- 2-2;, Thedriver then proceeds with the truck and dumps its load at the desired i n, H 13th; ia liinsi and the fi Operation in h ifil p he 1283 bqdy. Z3 0 the truck body 234's b l-9 .5 the; truclgunto the forward en he rail .9 that-it s in l neir tudinal alinement therew th; the; truckhas been dumped, and thei d stiltre alps, on the trailer, and as the suit V 96s.- Qf thetraclgsfl}; are normally at the le velf of-the topeni face of the bottom h 3 Q Yi. he a loaded, the bottom"2 3a; will, or neces ity, he. at a hieherilevel n; e-s aeesoi-- he rae ;ss As the kiedz h ea ihemehtwith e trailer, the hook members will ride'up on and engage the amemembers heret ea-wm be held by the load uponthe sub-frame. E; Al:- thoueh in s-69 91 ht i'itionx n ifQ Wfi end of the e lt am i ss lit dt suohgeleyation o the sub-frame is compensatedfior tg maintain the tracks 34 on th ller 3,- br rhe: forward trailer n dawh ehehedibsen iel esnd by the weight of thealqadon them, reagtingtt cpr respondingly raisethetraller me After he this? and rallsri e enness ib ss oa:

pied (see Fig. 2), the tail gate 26 opened andthe arm 38 swung to the down position shown in Fig. 2, the truck is moved forwardly, under its own power, from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3, drawing forwardly and extending the sub-frame F' on the trailer frame. Under extension of the sub-frame the cable C is set into operation to advance the trailerbody 29 on the subeirame, in the following manner: The cable ends being dead-ended on the trailer frame such ends do not advance with the sub-frame, but the sheaves 53 and 54 being'mounted on the sub=frame, are advanced. As a result the; upper cable stretch 5! is caused to travel at twice. the speed of the sub-frame and to move the book 58 acordingly. Initial movement of the hook 58 causes it to. engage the pin 59.. and draw the trailer body forwardly on the sub-frame, "and as the speed of travel of the hook is twice that of the subeframe, the distance of travel of the trailer body will be twice thatef the, sub-frame. Thus from Fig. 3, it will be seen thatalthough the subframe is only partly extended from the trailer frame, the trailer body is already extended into the truck body and partly supported by the truck.

This partial extension of the sub-frame. and the partial support of the trailer body and its load by the truck, providesltwo'important advantages, namely, it avoids complete extension'of the sub;- frame with the. trailer body and its load thereon, to prevent resultant distortion of the sub-frame. as well. as-a possible tilting of the trailer to derail the sub-frame and the trailer body;

. In the advanced position of :the. trailer body shown in Fig. 3, but better shown in Fig. 7, the rear end of the body has passed over and is. now engaged by the lever 62, to hold the trailer: body against rearwardmovement. on thesub-frarrne;

The next and. final operation necessary tocompletely pass the trailer body: into: the truckbody; is the backing of the truck into the trailer, that is, from the position shownain: Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. During this truck manipulation, the :trailer body beingheld. by the lever '62 against rearward movement, and the truckbody moving rearwardly on thetrailer body, the,latter iscaused to telescopically pass almost completely into the truck; body, that; final movement; necessary to fully extend it into the. truck; body being' given .bythe tlnustimparted thereto. by-the rapidly moving hook 58 before it disengages the pin. 59'. In the final. position. ofthetrailerv body. the latchesfiiifspring into engagement with the keeper bar 6.9-. o secure the. trailen body: fullyextended intothe truck; b'Qdy.

During; the above-v descrihed; transfer 'ofthe loaded trailer-body, thetraoks; 33; being relieved of; this lead thezsub-frame F-"will be raised by the action (tithe-trailer springs: Ilia and lea, thus lifting; the members dfiireaoi thezimembers' M; andd isengaging the track and. trailer; Followiing; this, the end-gate 21941:- 15". released; when the d: may e dumped. by tilting: the truck body in the usual manner.

When the transferring. operation is compieted as;.sho wnin Big; 45.13118 ,sub+f,rameEis-.;left in its normal position upQnthetrailerframe; After clumping the trailer; load: the. truck isthen returned and; again baokedi up tolthe trailer; in

nroner alinement. therewith; to;- cause the members; 45; to. again ride: .up;v onto; and. engage the members 44. To -return thetrailer body to the trailer frame,- the latches .65 :are first. movedfree Qf the keeper; bar; 69; and: the-end gate zs'w un- "tsrlatchedi Whereupenlthetmck tiltedlir'rthe manner illustrated in Fig. 5, causing the trailer body to roll by gravity onto the tracks 33, when the trailer body may be secured in place by the arms 38. Transporting connection is then made by engagement of the eye 2| within the hook 22.

It will be noted that when the truck is backed into the trailer as described in connection with Fig. 4, the sub-frame F, in its return to normal position, will actuate the cable C to restore the hook 58 to its normal position at the back end of the frame to be in a position to engage the pin 59 when the hook is again advanced to effect a second transfer of the trailer body into a truck body.

Referring now to Fig. 10, I have here shown a modified construction of sub-frame designated generally at Fl, and a diiferent manner of supporting the trailer body 29 for rolling movement in respect to the trailer frame ll. In this construction, a pair of I beams 79 extend longitudinally of and are secured to the upper side of the frame ll, while secured to the upper edges of the beams are a pair of tracks ll. Rollers 12 mounted in suitable brackets 73 secured to the underside of the trailer body 29, ride on the tracks I I. From this construction it will be seen that the trailer body is directly supported on the trailer frame, rather than on the sub-frame as in the first form of my invention.

The sub-frame Fl is arranged between the beams l0, and comprises a pair of channel beams M suitably fixed to each other in spaced parallel relation. These beams are supported for rolling movement on and longitudinally of the trailer frame, by rollers 75 riding on tracks 16 secured to channeled beams lla of the frame IT. The rollers 15 are mounted in pairs at the sides of the beams M, with the lower flanges of the beams formed with slots 1'! through which the rollers extend to ride on the tracks 16.

While not shown, the forward end of the subframe may be provided with a coupling member 45 adapted to engage a truck-carried coupling member 44 to couple the sub-frame to the truck frame 24 in the same manner as with the subframe F. Also, the forward end of the sub-frame Fl may be provided with an unbalanced lever 62 to engage the rear end of the trailer body for holding the body against rearward movement on the sub-frame to eifect the body transfer to the truck.

As in the first form of my invention, the subframe Fl is'adapted to actuate a cable C, the ends of which may be fixed to the trailer frame I! as in Fig. 7, and trained about two sheaves 18 mounted between the beams 14, only one of the sheaves appearing in Fig. 10. The upper stretch of the cable C is, likewise, secured to a plate 51 which rides on the upper flanges of the beam M, through the medium of a clamp 56. The plate 5'! carries a hook 58 which is adapted to engage a pin 59 fixed in ears 69 on the underside of a cross beam Bl secured to the bottom of the trailer body 29.

In the operation of the sub-frame Fl to efiect transfer of the trailer body into the truck body, the sub-frame does not act as a bridge for the trailer body as in the first form of my invention. The trailer body being supported directly on the trailer frame, acts as its own bridge, and this is made possible by the manner in which the cable C operates the sub-frame, for as the truck draws the sub-frame forwardly the trailer body is moved by the cable twice the distance of the sub-frame. Hence, the forward end of the trailer body will pass into the truck body while the trailer body is actually supported by the trailer. If the truck is initially moved forward with rapidity and for only a short distance, the resultant thrust imparted to the trailer body by the hook 58, will be sufficient to impel it in one continuous movement, into the truck body. However, because of the possible damage to the truck, unless the operator advances the truck the exact speedand distance required, it is best to resort to a second backing and forward movement of the truck as in the first form of my invention, to complete transfer of the trailer-body into the truck body. 7

Referring to Figs. 11 to 14., I have here shown a modification of the transferring mechanism of Fig. 1, which is primarily designed to be used in conjunction with a truck having a fixed body rather than a dump body. In this form of my invention, the same main elements as in the form of my invention shown in Fig. 6 are employed, that is, the trailer frame [1, the subframe F, the lever 62, and the cable C in the same association with the sub-frame and the trailer frame to actuate the trailer body all as shown in Fig. 11. However, the coupling members 44 and 45 are not here useable, and hence other couplin means is provided which will be later described herein.

In addition to the foregoing elements a rigid extension 89 is fixed to the rear end of the trailer body 29, and on this extension is fixed, in cars 8|, a cross pin 82. For pulling the trailer body forwardly on the sub-frame, this pin 82 is engaged by a hook 83 fixed to a plate 84 slidable on the angle bars 55. The plate, in turn, is secured to the cable C by two clamps 56. p

A lever 85 extends upwardly through and is fulcrumed on the plate 84, as at 85, the upper end of the lever being in the form of a hook 81 which faces the hook 83. As at 88, the lower end of the lever 85 is pivoted to the forward end of a rod 89 movable axially in a depending extension 90 of the plate 84. On the rod 89 between the extension 99 and a collar 9| fixed on the rod, is an expansible spring 92, Similarly, on the rod between the extension and a washer 93 secured on the rod by a nut 94, is an expansible spring 95 but of less tension than the spring 92. These two springs coact to return the hook 83 to a vertical position when moved in either direction therefrom.

The truck A shown in Figs. 11 to 14 is of the conventional fixed body type having a body 96 fixed on'theframe 91, and provided at its rear end with a pair of horizontal coupling plates 98 formed with openings 99. Similarly, the forward end of the sub-frame F is provided with a pair of horizontal coupling plates I00 with openings llll therein. These plates 98 and Hill are positioned on the truck and the sub-frame, so that when the truck is adjacent to and longitudinally alined with the trailer, the openings 99 and llll register with each other, and by dropping a pair of bolts or pins I02 through the openings, the plates will be connected one to the other to couple the sub-frame to the truck. 77

In the operation of this form of my invention,

the cable C, under forward pulling of the subframe by the truck Al, once it is coupled thereto by the plates and pins described, is actuated to advance the trailer body through the hook and pin connection83 and 82, at least twice the distance the sub-frame is moved on the trailer frame, to partly telescope the trailer body into the truck body. As maths first fonn of my invention, complete transfer of the. trailer body is effected by backing the truck up to the trailer, with the lever or engaging the frame extension at and holding the trailer body against rear ward movement. As the'truck leaves the trailer following uncoupling of the two, the pin 82 leaves thehook 83 and strikes the hook 81, but the latter yields under compression of the spring 95 110 allow the pin to pass.

Whereithe truck body fiocannot be tilted to dump the trailer body, it 'is necessary to resort to other load-removing means, such, for example, as by use of a crane shovel, or by pulling the trailer body 29 from the truck Al onto a platform, by a power operated winch. If the load is removed from the trailer body while the latter remains on the truck, the truck. with the empty trailer body returns into longitudinal alinement with the trailer; where it is again coupled tothe sub-frame (see Fig. 12), so that the trailer body may now be transferred back to the trailer, as follows:

The truck is moved forwardly drawing the sub-frame F forwardly to the partly extended position on the trailer frame, shown in Fig. 13.

Under this advancement of the sub-frame, the cable C is actuated to move the hook 81 from the rear end to the forward end of the subframe. This may be accomplished by merely extending the sub-frame a portion of its length, because under the action of the cable the hook is moved forwardly twice the distance the subframe is moved. As the convex side of the hook engages the pin 82, the spring 95 yields to allow the hook to pass the pin, the latter coming to a stop at the forward side of the pin, as illustrated.

The next and final step is to again back the truck to the trailer to retract the sub-frame to its original position on the trailer. During this movement of the sub-frame the upper stretch of the cable C is moved rearwardly causin the hook 81 to engage the pin 82, and pull the trailer body from the truck body completely back onto the trailer (see Fig. 14). The hook 81 is held against forward movement and thus in engagement with the pin 82 by the strong tension of the spring 92. Incident to this transferring operation, it is necessary to block or otherwise hold the lever 62 out of the path of movement of the frame extension. As the hook moves twice the distance the sub-frame moves, the trailer body is restored to its original position concurrently with the sub-frame, in spite of the fact the sub-frame was only partially extended at the outset.

From the aforedescribed operation of this form of my invention, it will be manifest that through the mode of operation of the cable C, only a partial extension of the sub-frame is necessary during the operation of transferring the trailer body to the truck body, and vice versa, and, hence, only short movements of the truck forwardly and rearwardly. While I have described this form of my invention as used for transferring a trailer body to the fixed body of a truck, I do not desire to be limited or restricted to this use, as it will be understood that the trailercarried transfer mechanism may be mounted on a wooden platform, or partly sunk in a concrete platform, and the body 29 used as the removable body of a truck. In this adaptation, the transferring mechanism could be operated on f0 transfer of the body H from the platform to the truck chassis, (ii-vice versa, through the necessary manipulations of the-truck with relation to the platform;

Referring to Figs; 15 to 1'7, I'have here shown another form of trailerbody transferring mech'- anism "which is identical tothefirst form of my invention, with the exception of the manner in which the. cable C'is associatedwitlithe' subframe F and the trailer frame [1.

In this embodiment, the cable 0 is" anchored to the front end of the trailer frame H; as at 48c, extended upwardly around a sheave 49a at the front end of tlrc'sub frame, and then rearwardly alongthe subframe to form the upper stretch 5la, with itsrear end coiled about and anchored to a winch drum ")5. This drum is fixed to a shaft Hi6 journalled in two brackets I01 secured to a cross beam [03 extended be tween and fixed. to the sides of the sub-frame F. To the shaft 196 is anchored the inner end of a coiled. spring I09, its outer endbeing secured to a housing H0 fixed to the beam I08;

In operation, the spring (this under practicaily iio tension when the sub-frame is in its normal retracted position, but as the sub-frame is extended forwardly, the sheave 49a is actuated to unwind the cable from the drum and to rotate the drum in so doing. This drum rotation serves to wind up the spring through rotation of the shaft I06, and thus place it under such tension that following transfer of the trailer body to the truck and uncoupling of the truck from the sub-frame, the spring will in its unwinding operation draw the sub-frame back to normal position and return the cable stretch 5| to its normal position to place the hook 58 in position for a succeeding transferring operation.

I claim:

1. In a mechanism for transferring a body from a trailer chassis to a truck and vice versa, a transferring frame movably mounted on the trailer chassis so as to be moved to extended and retracted positions relative thereto, said body being removably mounted on said frame, a sheave journalled at each end of said frame, flexible means looped over said sheaves with the lower stretch thereof being fixedly secured to the chassis, means on the upper stretch of said flexible means adapted to engage said trailer body adjacent the rear end thereof during the forward travel of said frame and to be released therefrom by the return thereof whereby said flexible means and said body are caused to move at a differential ratio relative to the frame and said body is moved substantially twice as far as said frame.

2. In combination: a truck; a trailer chassis; a body removably mounted on the trailer chassis; a frame movably mounted on said chassis; a hitch for connecting said frame with said truck; sheaves journalled in the frame adjacent the front and rear ends thereof; a flexible member extending and movable over said sheaves and having its ends anchored to said chassis; means on the upper stretch of said member adaptable to engage the trailer body at the rearward portion thereof whereby said body is moved at least twice the distance of the frame to transfer the body to the truck and vice versa when the truck is manipulated relative to the trailer chassis, the means on said flexible member being disengageable from the trailer body by the return movement of said the platform in the manner as before, to effect frame.

3. In combination: a truck chassis having a body fixed thereon; a trailer chassis; a trailer frame; a trailer-body of a size to telescopically pass into the truck body; rollers on said trailer chassis; tracks on said frame engageable with said rollers for moving said frame longitudinally of the trailer chassis; rollers on said trailer body engageable with said first mentioned rollers; complemental coupling means on said frame and truck chassis to permit the frame to be drawn forwardly and rearwardly on the trailer chassis when the truck is moved; means on said tracks for holding the trailer body against rearward movement thereon; a cable movably associated with said tracks and connected'at one end to said trailer chassis; means on said cable engageable with said trailer body during forward movement of the tracks and frame whereby the body will be advanced thereon at a greater speed of travel than the frame to move the body telescopically into the truck body, and said cable means being disengageable with said trailer body by the return movement of the tracks and frame.

4. In combination: a truck; a trailer chassis;

a frame movably mounted on said chassis; a body removably mounted on said frame; a sheave Journalled in each end of said frame; a cable looped over said sheaves and connected to said chassis; hook means on said cable engageable with said body adjacent the rearward portion thereof whereby forward movement of the frame produces a movement in said cable in excess of the movement of said frame so that the body will be moved in either direction with the movement of said cable, said hook means being disengaged from said. body by the return movement of said cable.

HENRY C. HARBERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

